POSTED:
October 05 2018 13:56:19. By Keith Long
- Deserved Challenge Trophy Win For 1st Team

Turning their attention onto the Manchester FA Saturday Challenge Trophy Beechfield United 1st Team secured a moral boosting victory when they beat Lancashire and Cheshire League opponents Trafford United 4-2 at Salford Sports Village. In a much changed line up Scott Hamer made his Beechy debut and he had an excellent ninety minutes playing in a defensive role. But Beechy made the worst possible start to this Round 1 tie when they went a goal down after only three minutes. Beechy forced the games first corner though Trafford's No6 cleared the ball downfield and after a half volley from a visitors forward United keeper Rob Harrison had to make his first real save. A classic move between Louis Duff, Jamie Sinnott and Jordan Jones-Waite created a headed chance for the latter who forced a save from the Trafford keeper. Most of Trafford's direct attacking play developed down the right flank and both Marcus Belcher and Carl Ravenscroft were credited with some first-class defending.

A few wasted passes ruined some fine one-touch moves by Beechy and the players needed to relax more when in possession of the ball. Trafford United looked a well organised outfit but Beechy had enough talent on the pitch to break them down. Just after the half hour mark Beechy found an equaliser after Jordan Jones-Waite controlled Jamie Sinnott's accurate long pass and outpaced two Trafford defenders before supplying a superb finish. Then ninety seconds later the referee awarded a penalty following a reckless foul on Jordan Jones-Waite and Jordan put Beechy 2-1 up from the resulting spot-kick. A solo run from deep in his own half by Marcus Belcher carved out a chance for Kurtis Lee who's long range effort went straight at the keeper. Beechy deserved their lead but Trafford continued to threaten to score again and on one occasion Beechy had both Scott Hamer and Mike Rogerson to thank for some superb defending.

Chris Ferris who had a terrific game in midfield angled a pass between two defenders that sent Kurtis Lee on a clear run and Beechy's No7 almost added a third goal just before the referee blew for half time. Quickly dictating the pace of the game as the second half developed Beechy took a 3-1 lead when Jordan Jones-Waite completed his hat trick following a brilliant pass from Scott Hamer. Beechy stepped up a gear and looked likely to get more goals but against the run of play Trafford pulled a goal back when a curling cross from the right wing dipped over Rob Harrison the ball hitting the post before bouncing into the corner of the net. After dealing with some counter-attacking pressure from the visitors Beechy responded and meeting a Louis Duff flag kick Kurtis Lee powered a header on target that brought a fine save from the Trafford keeper.

A couple of minutes later the ball was played forward by Carl Ravenscroft onto Jordan Jones-Waite and he sent it across the pitch to Kurtis Lee who coolly drew a defender and the keeper out of position before putting the ball into the empty net for 4-2 in the 62nd minute. Chris Ferris, Jamie Sinnott and Louis Duff linked-up in a great move that almost got Beechy a fifth goal. Still believing they could find two late goals Trafford kept attacking at every opportunity and a well timed last ditch tackle by Mike Rogerson denied the visitors No 27 a certain goal. Jordan Jones-Waite who continued to cause Trafford's defenders real problems set-up a chance for Chris Ferris and his shot on target brought another acrobatic save from the visitors keeper. Louis Duff's curling cross found Kurtis Lee inside the area and Beechy's striker who deserved a second goal for his hard working display saw a header drift wide of the target. On Saturday 20th October Beechy are away to East Manchester in the Quarter-Finals.